Napa County, California Records

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Napa County, California Courthouse Records
Napa County, California Census Records
Napa County, California Vital Records
Napa County, California Resources
Napa County, California External Links

Napa County, California (Map It) was created on February 18, 1850 as one of the original 27 counties . Napa County was named for Napa Valley. The word napa is of Indian derivation and has been variously translated as “grizzly bear,” “house,” “motherland” or “fish.” Of the many explanations of the names’s origin, the most plausible seems to be that it is derived from the Patwin word napo meaning house

Napa County is bordered by Solano County (south & southeast), Sonoma County (west), Lake County (north), Yolo County (east) .

Napa County Cities and Towns include American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, Yountville .

Since its creation Napa County boundries have changed to include these:

  • Most of its territory has been in the county since 1850.
  • Territory in Napa County from 1850 to 1964 was moved to Lake County in 1864, but returned to Napa County in 1972.
  • Territory in Napa County from 1850 to 1961 was moved to Lake County in 1861, but returned to Napa County in 1972.
  • Territory in Napa County from 1850 to 1968 was moved to Lake County in 1868, but returned to Napa County in 1972.
  • Territory was in Solano County from 1950 to 1855, when it was added to Napa County.
  • Territory was in Sonoma County from 1950 to 1855, when it was added to Napa County.
  • Territory which at one time was in Napa County is now in Lake County

Napa County, California Courthouse Records

Napa County, California Courthouse
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Napa County, CA Courthouse
Old Napa County, California Courthouse
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Old Napa County Courthouse

The Napa County Courthouse is located in Napa, California. Land was later added from counties Lake (1872) and Solano (1855). Learn More About State of California Court, Tax, Land and Probate Records.

Courthouse History - The distinctive cupola on Napa's third courthouse, which combined Russian, Gothic, and Victorian styles, withstood the 1906 earthquake, during which a chimney crashed into a judge's chambers. At the time it was constructed, a local newspaper reported that "all the brick used in the construction of the courthouse and jail were made at the old brick yard on the Sonoma Road. About 90,000 were made, which were pronounced by competent judges to be of excellent quality." The courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is still in use. The cupola was removed after another earthquake in 1964.

The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Some early court records from the various courts may have been sent to the California State Archives. Besides court minutes and judgements, these records include tax lists, wills, deeds, estate inventories, and marriage bonds. The California State Archives has microfilm of selected county records, 1850–1919.

The following dates indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Napa county. The date listed for each record is usually the earliest registration filed. The date does not indicate that there are alot records for that year and does not mean that all such events were actually filed with the clerk. Some counties encompass land settled in the eighteenth century; their records pre-date county formation. Land transactions and vital records recorded in the county are at the county recorder's office. The county clerk general has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be in either place, depending on how filed.

  • Napa County Recorder-Clerk has Birth / Death Records from 1868 / 1873, Marriage Records from 1850 and Land Records from 1848. The County Recorder-Clerk is s responsible for examination and recording of all documents presented for recording that deal with establishing ownership of land in the County or as required by statute; administers the real property transfer tax law and maintains a permanent record and indexes of all documents for public viewing plus providing certified copies requested by the public; recording of all lawful documents such as deeds, deeds of trust, judgments, liens, affidavits, Uniform Commercial Code Financial Statements, etc; and the filing of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. RECORDER: (707) 253-4105; CLERK: (707) 253-4247
  • Napa County Clerk of Superior Court has Probate Records from 1851 and Court Records from 1849. The County Clerk of Superior Court has probate books and files from the county's superior court, civil court records, and naturalizations. Divorces may be here or in the Recorders Office, depending on how it was filed.
  • Napa County County Treasurer / Tax Collector
  • Local Registrar of Births and Deaths, 2344 Old Sonoma Road, Bldg. G, Napa, CA 94559; Office (707) 253-4506

Napa County, California Census Records

Napa County, California Vital Records

Napa County, California Resources

Napa County, California External Links

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